Morogoro Region has reduced newborn deaths by more than 16 percent over the past three years while expanding maternal healthcare infrastructure and emergency obstetric services, reflecting steady progress in efforts to improve the survival of mothers and babies.
Regional data show newborn deaths fell from 1,420 in 2023 to 1,196 in 2025, lowering the neonatal mortality rate from 14 to 11 deaths per 1,000 live births. Maternal mortality also declined from 85 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 to 70 in 2025.
The figures were presented during the opening of the three-day Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) review meeting in Malinyi District, held from July 28 to 30, 2026.
Opening the meeting on behalf of Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima, Malinyi District Commissioner Sebastian Waryuba attributed the progress to continued government investment in maternal and child health services but said preventable deaths remain a major concern.
“Every preventable maternal or newborn death is a tragedy for families and the nation. We must continue conducting thorough reviews and implementing effective interventions to improve healthcare services,” Mr Waryuba said.
Morogoro Regional Medical Officer Dr Best Magoma said the government has invested more than TZS 1.5 billion to strengthen healthcare services through the construction of nearly 50 health centres, dispensaries and clinics across the region.
The investment has also financed the procurement of essential medicines, laboratory reagents, medical equipment, delivery kits, ultrasound machines, neonatal care equipment, resuscitation devices, maternity beds and emergency obstetric supplies.
According to Dr Magoma, the improvements have enabled 59 health centres in both urban and rural areas to provide Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), allowing trained health workers to perform Caesarean sections and other life-saving obstetric procedures closer to communities.
He added that the region has recruited about 600 new health professionals since the beginning of this year to strengthen staffing levels.
“The recruitment demonstrates President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services and saving lives,” Dr Magoma said.
Despite the gains, he noted that severe bleeding before, during and after childbirth remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, alongside postpartum infections, eclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pulmonary embolism.
Among newborns, the leading causes of death continue to be birth asphyxia, prematurity and low birth weight, infections and complications arising during delivery.
Earlier, Malinyi District Executive Director Jaafari Katimba said the MPDSR review meeting provides health professionals with an opportunity to analyse maternal and newborn deaths, identify weaknesses in service delivery and recommend measures to prevent similar cases.
He said the government has directed councils across Morogoro Region to strengthen MPDSR review committees, improve emergency maternal and newborn healthcare services, ensure adequate supplies of skilled health workers, medicines, safe blood and medical equipment, and intensify public awareness campaigns encouraging women to begin antenatal care early and deliver at health facilities.
The meeting has brought together regional and district health officials, government leaders and development partners to assess trends in maternal and newborn mortality and develop strategies aimed at further reducing preventable deaths across the region.
